What is toxoplasmosis and why is it dangerous? Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii, which is a type of protozoan. The ultimate host of this parasite is the feline family. The sexual cycle of the development of the pathogen is carried out in their body, as a result, oocysts are formed, further development occurs in the body of the intermediate host (human). The disease proceeds in most cases asymptomatically. Toxoplasmosis presents an unprecedented danger only for women awaiting the appearance of a baby.
What is the danger of toxoplasmosis during pregnancy? How can they get infected?
The danger of the disease lies in its asymptomatic course and the negative impact on the formation of tissues and organs of the future baby during infection, especially in the early stages. Some of the most famous infections are known:
- through the placenta - from mother to fetus;
- the use of meat products that have undergone poor-quality heat treatment;
- eating foods that are contaminated with a feline;
- when excavating in a garden or garden.
The susceptibility of the individual to this pathology is great, there are regions in which the infection with toxoplasmosis approaches eighty percent.
Avoiding infection is easy, it is recommended that you follow the rules of personal hygiene, exclude the intake of meat that has not undergone cooking, regularly clean the tray behind the cat.
Clinical manifestations
In case of infection after birth, the infection mainly proceeds without any symptoms. The incubation period is an average of seven days. Some individuals have nonspecific symptoms:
- malaise;
- myalgia;
- temperature rise;
- lymphadenopathy;
- mononucleosis-like syndrome.
The course of the disease is favorable, no treatment is required. The consequences in the form of pericarditis, myocarditis and pneumonitis occur in rare cases.
Diagnostics
What is toxoplasmosis, why is it dangerous and how is pathology detected? Toxoplasmosis is an ailment caused by toxoplasmas, which are the simplest parasitic microorganisms. Of particular danger is a congenital disease, since the fetus is affected at the stage of formation of vital organs and systems. Therefore, diagnosis is of great importance. However, toxoplasmosis is rather difficult to detect. In most cases, the clinical picture is absent. Pathology is detected using serological tests. With their help, antibodies and parasites are detected. Immunoglobulins G peak concentrations reach one to two months after infection.
If there are no antibodies, then the woman is at risk. During pregnancy, the doctor will refer her several times to repeated tests. Detection of immunoglobulin G in the blood proves that the parasite was already in the body and the immune system successfully coped with it. If another type of immunoglobulin is detected - IgM, then this indicates that the toxoplasma was in the body at the time of delivery of the biomaterial. The immune response is evaluated according to the results of repeated studies. A fourfold increase in IgG titer over three weeks indicates a threat to the fetus. Doctors recommend a woman to undergo additional examinations:
- amniotic fluid examination;
- PCR;
- Ultrasound
- umbilical cord puncture.
If the results are unsatisfactory, then doctors insist on artificial termination of pregnancy.
The risks
Is toxoplasmosis dangerous during pregnancy? Many future mothers are sure that such a disease is considered an indication for artificial termination of pregnancy. According to doctors, such a statement is not entirely true. There is a danger to the fetus if, during the waiting period for the baby, the primary infection occurred. If the disease developed earlier, then there is no risk for the future baby.
In addition, the effect of the parasite on the fetus depends on the period of infection, the longer the period, the less severe the consequences. Let us consider in more detail the effect of toxoplasmosis on the fetus in the context of trimesters:
- The first is the most dangerous, since organs are actively formed during this period, and any intervention of helminths provokes the development of serious anomalies, up to the death of the embryo. Thus, in these months there is a high risk of pregnancy fading.
- The second - when a fetus reveals a pathology, doctors recommend abortion. In case of failure, a pregnant woman is prescribed therapy. However, after birth, the crumbs reveal diseases of the liver, eyes and central nervous system.
- The third is the least dangerous, the effect on the fetus is insignificant, since it is viable and practically formed. A threat to the health and life of the fetus occurs in rare cases.
Symptoms of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women
What is the danger of toxoplasmosis for pregnant women you already know, and now consider the signs of this ailment:
- muscle pain;
- enlarged lymph nodes in the armpits and on the neck;
- irritability;
- headache;
- fatigue;
- temperature rise;
- general lethargy.
With a strongly weakened immune system, a pregnant woman is at high risk of developing pneumonia, myocarditis and hepatitis.
The clinical picture depends on what form of toxoplasmosis the expectant mother is infected:
- Cerebral - weakness, headache, paralysis, coma.
- Ocular - visual impairment up to blindness.
The signs of the disease in the chronic stage are as follows:
- irritability;
- myocarditis;
- memory impairment;
- specific myositis;
- failure of the digestive tract;
- neurotic reactions.
Consequences for the fetus
What is the danger of toxoplasmosis during pregnancy for a child? It is proved that the consequences for the fetus will be worse, the earlier the parasite penetrates the body of a woman expecting a baby. Regardless of at what stage the infection occurred, the baby is diagnosed with congenital toxoplasmosis, which has the following clinic:
- jaundice;
- enlarged liver and spleen;
- swelling of the lower extremities;
- temperature increase;
- inflammation of the lymph nodes;
- rash, maculopapular;
- deterioration in general condition.
In the future, the child has a lag in physical and mental development, a violation of the functions of the central nervous system, organs of vision, and hearing. What is dangerous toxoplasmosis for a child. Most often, the following pathologies are diagnosed in children:
- myositis;
- deafness;
- pneumonia;
- retinitis;
- blindness;
- epilepsy;
- oligophrenia;
- encephalitis;
- hepatitis;
- myocarditis.
Toxoplasmosis treatment
You already know what toxoplasmosis is and how dangerous it is. How to treat it?
Therapy of this disease is not carried out with an asymptomatic course of the disease. It is important to remember that only the stage of the disease is amenable to therapy, in which the parasite has not yet hidden in a protective capsule. Pregnant women are allowed to be treated in the second trimester (after 16 weeks) if she refuses to terminate the pregnancy artificially. Previously, the doctor informs about all the risks associated with both the disease and taking medication. Of the medicines prescribed:
- sulfonamides - “sulfadiazine”;
- antibiotics - “Rovamycin”, “Doxycycline”;
- antibacterial - “Pyrimethamine”.
The doctor prescribes the course of drug treatment individually. The patient is informed of possible adverse effects on the fetus.
What is the danger of toxoplasmosis? Prevention of transplacental invasion
What is dangerous toxoplasmosis for humans? For a practically healthy individual, this disease is not dangerous. She is asymptomatic and the patient does not even notice her course. At risk are people who have reduced immunity, since in this case the disease easily turns into a chronic form and slowly undermines the activity of important organs: liver, heart, stomach and lungs. However, the most dangerous disease for pregnant women.
The most effective method of prevention is pregnancy planning. Only six months after infection, a woman can think about conception. This time is enough to develop immunity so that the expectant mother and baby are safe from the effects of the parasite. Despite the lowered immunity, a woman in a position with a secondary invasion attack can cope without risks to her health and life.
Conclusion
After reading the article, you learned what toxoplasmosis is and how it is dangerous. Compliance with the rules of keeping pets, heat treatment of products of animal origin, washing hands with soap, as well as vegetables and fruits before use - this is a good prevention of the disease. In addition, it is important to strengthen the immune system, regularly perform physical exercises and walks, adhere to a balanced diet. In most cases, toxoplasmosis is harmless. The danger exists only for pregnant women and people with weak immunity.